David Wilcox

Biography:

DAVID WILCOX BIO

David Wilcox is a brilliant songwriter, a great singer, and one of the hottest guitar
players in the world. He first made his name as a wild live performer and then as a
first-rate recording artist whose work, from “Out Of The Woods” (1980) to his brand
new release, “Boy In The Boat” (2007), stands the test of time.

After more than twenty-five years in the business including extensive touring, 5 gold
or platinum albums, numerous awards, and fans everywhere – it’s no stretch to say
that David Wilcox deserves icon status. His life in music is the stuff of legend.

Wilcox discovered Elvis at age six, started picking guitar a couple of years later, and
played his first gig to a room full of ex-convicts at age fourteen. A devoted acoustic
fan, young David bought a second-hand Telecaster from a pawn shop on a whim and
didn’t even know how to turn on the amp when he auditioned for Ian & Sylvia. He
got the gig anyway, and spent two and a half years in their band, The Great
Speckled Bird, backing the likes of Anne Murray, Charlie Rich and Carl Perkins on
Ian’s weekly TV Show. David recalled one particular memory of that time: “We
were headlining at Carnegie Hall and the only instruments were two acoustic guitars,
played by Ian and me. I had an exceptional night and Ian was kind enough to
introduce me twice. Both times the audience response was really warm and
appreciative. Although I knew that I hadn’t ‘arrived’ or whatever, it was a wonderful
affirmation that I could have a career in music.”

Wilcox led his first big-time band, David Wilcox And The Teddy Bears, in the mid
‘70s, hitting stages as a flashy character with an oversized waxed moustache, a
baggy suit and a flower in his lapel. For the first time, he began performing original
material. Over the years he’s written an extremely broad variety of songs like “Old
Cats” and “Don’t Let The Devil Take The Beat From The Lord.”

In the early ‘80s, Wilcox shed the moustache and suit, truly hitting his stride.
Wherever he played he left a trail of club and concertgoers who’d danced, drank,
clapped, stomped and shouted their way to a great time. With consistent radio play
for his songs, audiences were soon calling out for “Hot, Hot, Papa”, “Riverboat
Fantasy” and other classic favorites.

Wilcox became a huge phenomenon on the college circuit, playing more than 300
dates a year and earning awards from COCA (Canadian Organization of Campus
Activities) for Entertainer Of The Year (1985) and Contemporary Music Recording
Attraction (1987). He was later honored with membership in their Hall Of Fame. At
the time he was the highest grossing campus performer in Canada.

During these years, David led a rather excessive lifestyle. On his first three EMI
albums, Out Of The Woods (1980), My Eyes Keep Me In Trouble (1983), Bad
Reputation (1984) he sang from experience – about sex (“The Grind”), drugs
(“Riverboat Fantasy”) and rock and roll (“That Hypnotizin’ Boogie”) and even
documented the gossip fostered by such pursuits (“Bad Apple” and “Bad
Reputation”). In the late ‘80s Wilcox continued to develop as a recording artist,
moving from his gritty, live-in-the-studio roots to more produced synthesizer-anddrum
program modern rock. The albums from this era, Breakfast At The Circus
(1987), “The Natural Edge” (1989) are stylish and textured but the songs shine
through as well as ever. The witty double-entendres of “Layin’ Pipe”, the sad
requiem of “The Song He Never Wrote”, “Lay Down In Your Arms” are key examples.
“Thirteen Songs”, released in 1996, featured acoustic-based music played with a
small band. Wilcox embraced everything from sax-and-organ jazz (“Rainy Night
Saloon”) to country storytelling (“Shotgun City”) to deep blues (“Three Past
Midnight”). Not to mention “God Is On A Bender” which may be one of the best
songs he has ever done, period.

The year 2000 found David recording “Rhythm Of Love”, for Stony Plain Records of
Edmonton a CD that reflected the compelling, hard-rocking sound of his first electric
bands. “I Need A Vice” is a clever, sharply observed confession; “High-Water Rising”
a beautiful soul ballad with some subtle, irresistible guitar work, and “Rhythm Of
Love” is a percolating shuffle.

In 2003 Stony Plain issued a great compilation CD titled “Rockin’ The Boogie; Best of
Blues And Boogie.” Apart from featuring some new tracks, such as the aptly titled
“Can’t Stop Rockin’” the CD focused on Wilcox’s blues-and-boogie side. Canada’s
Olympic gold-medal winning skaters, Salé and Pelletier, have frequently used the
title track for one of their most popular routines.

With the release of David’s new CD, “Boy In The Boat” his music has come full circle.
It’s a daring mix of diverse roots influences coupled with his remarkable style. The
result? Something not only original but steeped in the raw funky tradition his fans
have come to know and love. Tough but soulful; cool but passionate – the music
keeps growing without losing its fiery edge. “I wanted to make a record as freely as
possible. My first albums were done with no ‘adult supervision’; no concerns with
current trends or ‘marketing’, just a group of people making music for the pure joy
of it. With this one, we took that approach.” Wilcox goes on to recall: “There is an
afternoon I’ll always remember when I was a child – me and my little red Motorola
radio. In the basement, if they played a record by a male singer I pretended it was
me. If the singer was a woman I pretended I was the guitar player. Little did I
know that I’d be blessed with a career in music! Years later that memory sustains
me, keeping my pure love of music alive. If I ever start feeling jaded or pressured
to conform, that kid lost in the music brings me back to myself.”

“Boy In The Boat” is a superb new recording from a truly original artist. Check it
out!

For more information, contact:

Stony Plain Records
(780) 468-6423 holger@stonyplainrecords.com

Jane Harbury, Jane Harbury Publicity
(416) 960-1568 jane@harbury.ca

October 2007

Guitar Heroes

Four Telecaster Masters — James Burton, Albert Lee, Amos Garrett and David Wilcox — shake up the rock and roll universe on this historic release, a recording from July 12, 2013 when these Guitar Heroes performed together at the Vancouver Island MusicFest.

Rooted in blues and rockabilly influences, these four legends have shaped, and changed the sound of popular music since the mid-1950s.

The musicianship, good taste, camaraderie, respect and experience on stage that night made guitar history.